If you find yourself feeling sleepy most of the time, a health expert has suggested asking your GP one important thing
It’s easy to dismiss if your daily life is hectic, but it’s not normal to be tired all the time. It could be a sign that your body is missing something more than just a good night’s sleep.
Dr Shireen, a London-based GP who specialises in women’s health, took to TikTok to explain that women who cannot seem to find an answer should ask one simple question at their next doctor’s appointment. It’s all to do with your test results that may seem ‘normal’ at first sight.
She said: “Ask your GP, or the reception of your GP, what your ferritin level is.” This is a protein that stores iron in blood cells and releases it properly throughout the body.
The doctor added: “When we get the levels back, anything between 13 and 150 is marked as normal. But, really, if you’re feeling tired and you’re having periods and your ferritin is 13, that’s not normal.
The expert added that this is “probably what’s making you feel tired” and said she’d consider supplements. Your ferritin levels “need to be between 60 to 80”, she stated.
Dr Shireen continued: “A level of 13 will make you feel tired, make your hair dry and fall out, and make your nails brittle. It would have so many effects.
“If your level is less than 30, then speak to your GP and see if you should be taking supplements. Chances are, supplements will make you feel better.”
Seeking proper medical advice is always the best approach to finding what is right for you. If supplements do not sound ideal for you but should need to boost your ferritin levels, you could look at adding more iron-rich foods to your diet instead.
There are plenty of options to include across your daily meals and snack choices. These are:
- red meat (beef, lamb, mutton, pork, veal, venison)
- beans (such as red kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas)
- nuts
- dried fruit (such as dried apricots)
- fortified breakfast cereals
Women do need more iron in their systems than men – or ladies over the age of 50. On average, women aged 19 to 49 should aim for around 14.8mg a day. A lack of iron can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, according to the NHS.
